Britain, which prided itself on being ahead of its Western allies in supplying new weapons systems to Ukraine, now appears ready to send Kiev the long-range missiles long denied by the US presidential administration.
The Washington Post writes about it.
The publication analyzed the announcement of the purchase of arms by the International Support Fund for Ukraine (IFU), initiated by the countries of Northern Europe, in which London plays a leading role.
In the procurement notice, the British Ministry of Defense asked for "expressions of interest" in providing strike capabilities with a range of up to 300 kilometers. The message asked for answers within three days.
No final decision had been made, according to a British official who declined to confirm the type, timing or number of weapons being considered. However, the announcement is a significant step towards Britain itself supplying such munitions, and the characteristics and capabilities requested closely match the Storm Shadow air-launched cruise missiles.
Storm Shadows missiles can be mounted on Soviet-made Ukrainian fighter jets and reach Russian territory.
Ukraine has long asked Western countries to provide it with longer-range missiles, arguing that such weapons could change the course of the war, allowing its forces to strike Russian command centers, supply lines, ammunition and fuel depots deep in Crimea and in Russian-controlled territory in eastern Ukraine.
The United States has previously provided multiple precision-guided munitions systems, including the High Mobility Artillery Missile System, or HIMARS, but with munitions limited to a range of about 70 km.
HIMARS is also capable of launching the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), a munition with a range equivalent to 300 km in Storm Shadow. However, the Biden administration adamantly rejects Ukraine's request to provide these weapons, and representatives of the Pentagon, in addition to fears of an escalation of the conflict, refer to the lack of stocks in American arsenals.